Pitt's star rises in the ring

Bradley Pitt's long reach has proved devastating in the ring.Photo: Andrew de la Rue

In a brutal display, Australian heavyweight boxer Bradley Pitt
has advanced to the semi-finals in the 91kg division, after the
referee stopped his quarter-final fight with Kenya's James Wasao in
the second round.

Pitt, 24, a housepainter from Blairgowrie in Victoria whose
nickname is Hollywood in reference to his thespian namesake, is now
assured of a medal.

Referee Fitzroy Beckles of Kenya stopped the fight just 34
seconds into the second round, when Pitt had 22 points to Wasao's
two.

Under the sport's rules, the referee must stop the fight when
one boxer has a clear 20 point lead over the other.

Pitt got off to a devastating start, scoring 17 points to one in
the first round in front of a packed, appreciative Melbourne
Exhibition Centre Crowd.

Australian Assistant Head Coach Michael Daly said the ease with
which Pitt defeated the Kenyan boded well for his chances in his
semi-final.

"If you go through uninjured and you go through not tired, it's
always a bonus going into your next fight," he said.

Pitt will fight Ghana's Awusone Yekeni in his semi-final on
Thursday afternoon.

Pitt's devastating form was the highlight of a successful day
session for the Australian contingent, which saw three fighters
guaranteed of medals.

In the super-heavyweight division, Pitt's teammate Steven Rudic
also won through to the semi-finals after defeating Isekeli Maama
of Tonga in his quarter-final.

Referee Moise Mfongwot Mbemap of Cameroon stopped the fight one
minute and 27 seconds into the third round, with Rudic on 33 points
and Maama on 13.

The stands shook as spectators stamped their feet in the stands
to cheer the Australian to victory.

After the fight, Rudic said he would need to produce a better
performance in the semi-finals to give himself a chance for
gold.

"I thought it was pretty average to be honest, but I'm happy
with the win, that's all I care about," the 30-year-old, a former
basketballer with the Canberra's NBL team the Cannons, said.

"It may be a great fight against him, but I don't think it's
going to be a great fight against an England or Indian fighter," he
said.

Light heavyweight Ben McEachran, of Queensland, is also assured
of a medal after beating Canada's Glenn Hunter in his
quarter-final.

The 25-year-old, who won bronze in the event in Manchester, said
he is hoping to do better in Melbourne.

"I'm guarenteed a medal, which is great, but it's the gold I
want," he said.

Tonight, Queensland light welterweight Todd Kidd, 20, will face
English fighter James Russan in their quarter-final.

SPONSORED LINKS

1142703340618-smh.com.auhttp://www.smh.com.au/news/boxing/pitts-star-rises-in-the-ring/2006/03/21/1142703340618.htmlsmh.com.auThe Age Online2006-03-21Pitt's star rises in the ringDan HarrisonCommonwealthGamesBoxinghttp://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2006/03/21/2103box_pitt2_narrowweb__300x324,0.jpg